VENTURA IS ‘ THE STUFF OF DREAMS’
THE “hobby that got out of hand” takes on racing’s superpowers when Ventura Tormenta carries the Middleham Park Racing syndicate’s silks in Ireland today.
The Richard Hannon two-year-old faces opposition from Aidan O’brien’s Coolmore Stud trio of John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith – as well as Qatar Racing – in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.
“For Middleham Park Racing, and the syndicate members, to be able to line up against Magnier, Tabor and Qatar Racing is the stuff of dreams,” explains former PE and sports psychology teacher Tim Palin, who formed the syndicate with two horses in 1995.
But this David-versus-goliath face-off isn’t as one-sided as you might think.
Ventura Tormenta is a 5-1 shot and upset the odds on Qatar Racing’s The
Lir Jet in France three weeks ago.
The pair meet for the third time this afternoon with the score at one apiece.
“It does look a wide-open contest,” adds Palin, whose love of Manchester
City influenced his choice of silks – sky blue, with orange epaulettes. “The official handicapper puts us on 107 which tells us, according to the ratings, that we’re going to win by a neck!”
Seven years ago, Hannon saddled Middleham Park’s Toormore against two O’brien youngsters in the National Stakes at the Curragh – and the colt gave his owners a first Group 1 triumph.
“The game changer was Toormore,” explains Palin. “I describe it as a hobby, bringing the Sport of Kings to the man in the street, that got out of hand.”
Toormore persuaded Palin to leave the classroom and run the syndicate full time. Middleham Park’s colours are now ubiquitous, with over 100 syndicates owning horses spread among 37 trainers, carrying the hopes of an average 16 members per group.
Whatever Ventura Tormenta’s fate today, Middleham Park’s success proves the big spenders, Flat and jumps, haven’t yet managed to kill the dream.
“If you strike it lucky, then we have shown that you can go and compete at the top table,” says Palin.
6f Winner €120,000 (10 run) (10) A P O’brien 9-5 (C) (6) A P O’brien 9-5 (D)
(22) K J Condon 9-5 (CD) (22) Mrs J Harrington 9-5 (D)
(14) A P O’brien 9-5 (BF)... (11) M O’callaghan 9-5.................. (21) M Bell (UK) 9-5
(21) R Hannon (UK) 9-5 (D2)